Good afternoon. Police have defended arresting a man who carried an Israeli flag to a pro-Palestine rally in Sydney as local tensions over the Israel-Hamas conflict boiled over on Monday.
The New South Wales police assistant commissioner, Tony Cooke, told reporters on Tuesday that the man was “removed for his safety” from a rally that saw 1,000 people march from town hall to the Opera House.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, called the pro-Palestine rally “inappropriate”, while foreign minister Penny Wong asserted the government’s support for “Israel’s right to defend itself” and called for all hostages to be released. The Greens leader, Adam Bandt, took a different note, saying for peace to be achieved in the Middle East, “the occupation of Palestine must end”.
Top news
Antisemitic chants at protest condemned | The NSW premier, Chris Minns, and independent MP Allegra Spender labelled a pro-Palestine rally at the Sydney Opera House “abhorrent” after anti-Jewish chants were heard. NSW police say they will “attempt to identify people who committed offences”. The NSW Council for Civil Liberties has criticised political interference with the right to protest, while protest organisers issued a statement condemning antisemitic attendees but affirming “the right to demonstrate”.
US and UK back Israel, Saudi stands with Palestinians | The US is “surging” fresh weaponry to Israel, while the leaders of the UK, US, France, Germany and Italy released a joint statement expressing “steadfast and united support” for the state. Meanwhile, the crown prince of Saudi, Mohammed bin Salman, has vowed to stand by Palestinians. Read Simon Tisdall’s column on why Benjamin Netanyahu is a liability and must go.
Nearly 200,000 in Gaza internally displaced | The UN says “over 187,518 people in Gaza are believed to have fled their homes, with UNRWA hosting 137,427 in 83 schools” as Israel continues to bombard the besieged strip. The latest death toll stands at more than 680 Palestinians and at least 900 Israelis, with the World Health Organisation revealing a total of 11 attacks on healthcare – including medical facilities, ambulances and care providers – had taken place in the first 36 hours of the new conflict in Gaza. Hamas says it is prepared for a “long war” with Israel, while also saying it is open to a possible truce.
British SAS troops allegedly “executed Afghan males of fighting age” | Britain’s SAS faced allegations that it shot dead nine Afghans while they were sleeping and engaged in a policy of “executing Afghan males of fighting age” between 2010 and 2013, on the first day of a public inquiry into the killing of 80 civilians in Afghanistan.
Ben Roberts-Smith ordered to lodge $910,000 to proceed with appeal | The former SAS corporal, Australia’s most decorated living soldier, has been instructed to pay the sum to cover the legal costs of the three newspapers he has sued for defamation, in the event he loses his appeal.
ACCC approves Origin Energy buyout | The market regulator said it would not block the $18.7bn takeover of Origin Energy by private equity giants Brookfield and EIG Partners. Other approvals are needed, including by the Foreign Investment Review Board, before the deal is complete.
Seinfeld hints at return | Jerry Seinfeld has hinted that a Seinfeld reunion may be on the cards more than 25 years after the hit “show about nothing” aired its divisive finale. “Here’s what I’ll tell you, OK, but you can’t tell anybody. Something is going to happen that has to do with that ending. Hasn’t happened yet,” Seinfeld said during a standup show in Boston.
Car crashes into Chinese consulate in San Francisco | US police said they shot and killed a driver who crashed into the Chinese consulate, but gave no further information. Shortly after the incident, a heavy police presence descended on the area and the department urged the public to avoid the area. The consulate said it “strongly condemns this violent attack and reserves the right to pursue responsibility for the incident”.
Mummified US man finally given proper burial after 128 years on display | James Murphy, nicknamed ‘Stoneman Willie’ because of hard skin from experimental embalming, has been “gawked at long enough”, and was finally laid to rest in Pennsylvania.
Full Story
How the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted
A bloody attack by Hamas has shocked the world – and left Israel reeling. As the country responds with devastating airstrikes, Peter Beaumont explains how the surprise attack unfolded and what could happen next
Listen to this 21-minute episode.
What they said …
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“There are certainly people out there that just want you to shut up and play sport. There are athletes that are human beings and citizens of the country too, so they can, you know, exercise their rights and say what they want to say, and they can do it in a really healthy way.” - Darcy Moore, Collingwood captain
Moore threw his support behind the yes vote today.
In numbers
And, according to researchers, Australia is doing “very poorly” at protecting unique plants.
Before bed read
Read the Guardian editorial on the Indigenous voice referendum.
“A no vote changes nothing for the better. By contrast, a yes vote on Saturday will be a clear step forwards, a recognition, an obligation to listen, a constitutionally enshrined right to be heard. A yes vote won’t solve everything but it will be a start.”
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: RASH. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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